Huddersfield Man Killed in Afghanistan

A Briton killed in a terrorist car bomb attack in Afghanistan has been named as Michael Hampshire, from Huddersfield in West Yorkshire.

Mr Hampshire was killed on Sunday when a Taliban suicide bomber detonated an explosives-packed car near the international airport in the capital, Kabul, killing at least three people and wounding 18.

In a statement released by the Foreign Office last night, his family told of their loss, saying:

'Michael was a loving fiance, son, grandson, brother, uncle, cousin and a friend to everyone who knew him.

'No words can explain what we are going through at this time and we will miss Michael dearly.

'We would like to take this opportunity to thank people for the messages we have received but would now like, as a family, to grieve for Michael in peace.'

Mr Hampshire, who was known as Mic, was a security contractor working for the close protection team of the EU Police Mission in Afghanistan when he was killed. He leaves a fiancee of more than six months, Claire Taylor.

Friend Nick Baker wrote on his Facebook page:

'An absolute legend of a man with a heart of gold who inspired so many. R.I.P Mic. You will be missed!''

The attack appears to have targeted vehicles of the European Union police training mission.

The car bomb was detonated near the office of the Afghan Civil Aviation Authority, a few hundred metres from the airport terminal.

A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack.

The incident came just days after another Briton, who held joint Afghan nationality, was killed in an attack by the Taliban on a guest house in Kabul which left 14 people dead.

He was working for the British Council in the country when he was killed.